Commentary: Stuckey’s struggles no contest

DETROIT – Rodney Stuckey is still wearing the smile.

Even though the Pistons looked completely overmatched in Saturday’s Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoff series against the Cavaliers, he was still grinning after the 102-84 loss.

And while going through an up-and-down sophomore season that has some questioning whether he has what it takes to become an elite point guard, he still holds on to the grin.

That’s because struggles to win a basketball game pale in comparison with the struggles the young man, who will turn 23 on Tuesday, went through growing up in Kent, Wash.

An older brother was shot and killed. Stuckey was homeless for a short time. Academic woes kept him from attending his college of choice, Washington, and forced him to miss his freshman season at Eastern Washington.

So, whenever he has a bad game, all he has to do is think back a few years and realize he could have it worse.

“I’ve been through it all,” Stuckey said after practice Sunday for Tuesday’s Game 2. “Things happen for a reason, but I’m blessed to be in this situation.”

So Stuckey keeps smiling, thinking about the past and also thinking about the future in which he is confident he will one day be one of the top point guards in the league.

After getting off to a promising start following the Chauncey Billups-Allen Iverson trade with 40- and 38-point games, he has tailed off in the second half of the season.

He has struggled in game-management situations late in games. With his big, 6-foot-5 frame, he should finish better at the basket, but he appears to be thinking about the game rather than letting instincts take over.

He finished the regular season with averages of 13.4 points and 4.9 assists, decent numbers for a sophomore, but Stuckey doesn’t have the luxury of learning his craft with a lesser franchise.

The expectation around the Palace is to challenge for championships, so the glare is on Stuckey, as sports talk radio and Internet message boards have become very critical.

Pistons coach Michael Curry thinks it’s unfair. Though admitting Stuckey has a lot to learn, Curry has defended Stuckey all season, saying his growing pains are normal.

So the Pistons and Stuckey remain confident that it’s just a matter of time. Maybe not in time to prevent the Cavs from winning this series, but Stuckey’s day is coming.

“It’s going to come,” Stuckey said. “I don’t get down on myself when I make mistakes ’cause I know I’m going to make a lot of mistakes. I’m just excited about what the future’s going to bring me.”